Norway Increases Support for Sudan

'Two and a half years of war has caused enormous suffering on the civilian population of Sudan, including ethnically motivated violence, sexual violence, and famine. The UN and other humanitarian organisations save lives despite working under very difficult conditions. Intensifies fighting in and around El Fasher has dramatically increased humanitarian needs' said Åsmund Aukrust, Norway's Minister of International Development.

Reports from Darfur indicate mass killings and widespread sexual violence, with a clear ethnic dimension.

'The situation in Darfur has become a living hell. This cannot continue. The violence must stop immediately. Civilians must be guaranteed safe passage out of the area, continued protection, and unhindered access to aid-regardless of where they are or which group they belong to. The UN and other humanitarian organisations must be granted humanitarian access and be able to work safely,' said Aukrust.

Norway is now allocating NOK 25 million to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund operated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This fund enables humanitarian organizations to quickly support the most vulnerable in the crisis.

The funds support grassroots movements such as soup kitchens and emergency response rooms (ERRs), which provide essential emergency aid in areas inaccessible to international aid workers. Norway's contribution will go to food, shelter, and healthcare in the parts of the country where help is most needed.

Additionally, the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), has allocated USD 20 million for rapid response to the escalating crisis in Sudan. Norway contributes with 10 per cent of CERFs funds.

With this CERF rapid response allocation, UN agencies and partners aim to assist an estimated 2.5 million people in Darfur and the Kordofan states, with life-saving food, water, health, shelter and protection assistance, including support for survivors of sexual violence.

So far this year, Norway has contributed NOK 385 million (approximately 38.5 million USD) in humanitarian aid to Sudan in addition to NOK 200 million in development aid to the Sudanese people.

Norway continues to push all parties to cease hostilities, to protect civilians, to allow unhindered humanitarian access, and stand ready to support an inclusive political process, in which Sudanese ownership is key, a new transition towards democracy and a civilian-led government.